14 Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Chance for Success

Success mistakes Painting by Sheryl Barnes

Are you sabotaging your success? Do you keep making the same mistakes and never try learning from them? Many people unknowingly block themselves from the lives they desire.

Mistakes Will Destroy Your Chance for Success
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

There are a lot of factors that go into reaching success so at times you might feel like the deck is stacked against you. But the good news is that there are things you can do to boost your chances of success. Also, there are things to avoid.

If you avoid the following mistakes, you’ll accomplish what you want faster and easier!

Mistake #1 Not defining what “success” means to you

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

How will you notice you’ve reached your goal of being successful if you don’t realize what that entails? If you don’t take the time to define what success means for you, then you won’t know what you need to work on every day.

Success doesn’t necessarily mean making tons of money. It can mean having more freedom, being healthier, or increasing your well-being. Or your goal might be to end long-held mental hang-ups or learn a new skill that brings you joy.

Answer the following questions about success:

Success mistakes Painting by Sheryl Barnes
Sheryl Barnes painting
  • How do you define success? Describe, in detail, your own definition of success, not your friend’s or your parent’s versions.
  • Are you sabotaging your happiness? Have you been following in miserable people’s footsteps?
  • What are the problems in your life that you need to solve? What’s holding you back?
  • Do you have some bad habits you’d like to give up? Or good habits you want to gain?
  • What is your dream job? Your dream life?
  • What would be your ideal future home? Does it have to be a mansion? Or a cabin in the mountains?
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

These questions should get you brainstorming. There are many aspects to tinker with when it comes to envisioning your ideal life. Make your definition of success extremely clear.

Mistake # 2. Not knowing the steps to reach success

Man learning the steps to reach success.
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“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh

If you don’t know what you need to do to reach your goal, then it will always be a dream. How can you accomplish what you don’t know how to do?

Luckily, you live in a time when you can type your question into a magical little box, and it’ll gather wisdom from around the world to tell you the answer!

So, Google how to reach the goal.

Guy googling how to reach success.
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Here are some tips for success:

  • Write the steps you need to take to accomplish your goal.
  • Be precise. Set deadlines for when you need to finish each step.
  • Prioritize your goals. So you know which ones to focus on first.
  • Make a goal reminder. Create a visual reminder or vision board of what you’re working towards, so you’ll remember to work on them.
  • Break down big projects into simple tasks. Small tasks are less overwhelming and easier to complete. Plus, they’ll give you the motivation to finish more of them.

Mistake # 3 Not looking for your passion

man using black binoculars near forest trees at daytime
Photo by Mike on Pexels.com

“Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing.”

Hunter S. Thompson

If you don’t give your life a purpose, someone else will, and it won’t be to your benefit. So, think about the hobbies you enjoy (or enjoyed as a child) and spend time doing them. Try different activities so you can discover new passions.

What if Picasso or Van Gogh never tried painting? Expand your mind and learn something new every day.

Mistake # 4 Not taking responsibility for your life

Photo by Rodolfo Marques on Unsplash
Photo by Rodolfo Marques on Unsplash

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” —Mark Twain

Sure, it’s easier to just sit back and let life fly by, but it’s a surefire way to never fulfill your dreams.

If you don’t think you have the power to improve your life, then you don’t.

But, you can change your world for the better! So, why aren’t you taking control? Because it’s easier not to try?

Realize you can do something amazing by practicing it after you get home from work. Even if you only do it for a few minutes a day. Eventually, you might not even need that job anymore!

Mistake # 5 Settling for a mediocre life

Woman settling for a mediocre life instead of success.
Photo by Becca Correia from Pexels

Settling dooms you to an uneventful and unfulfilled life. People pretend to be happy with their stagnant lives, but inside they’re filled with misery. If you want more out of your life, then you have to go get it.

You have to really want to do the work to improve your world, instead of complaining about how terrible it is. It’s not going to fall into your hands. But that’s what makes success so fulfilling because you created it all by yourself!

Mistake # 6 Being afraid to fail

Photo by Two Dreamers from Pexels
Photo by Two Dreamers from Pexels

If you have a fear of failure, then you might never attempt to reach your goals. It’ll put an end to any progress in your life. Therefore, decide to let go of this fear and do what you need to do anyway.

Mistake # 7 Refusing to leave your comfort zone

Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels
Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels

Your subconscious will hold you back by making you repeat the same things every day. But, you’re going to need to step out of the deceptive “comfort zone.” It only feels like it’s nice and cozy.

Your comfort zone will kill your dreams, waste away years of your life, and drain your happiness.

People stay in this rut of “comfort” because they don’t think that they can achieve their dreams. But, staying there is a guarantee that it never happens.

Success is outside of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to do uncomfortable, scary things. You’ll prove to yourself that nothing can hold you back. Your confidence soars, and before you know it, you’re making things happen!

Mistake # 8 Not building your confidence

Man no confident enough for success.
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

The amount of confidence you have in yourself will make or break your chances for success. Low self-esteem can be the reason you don’t get promoted or don’t make the sale.

Some people believe that they either naturally have confidence, or they don’t. The reality is you have to build it (and maintain it) yourself. So, make sure your confidence levels don’t sink too low or get too high. Always have some empathy, honesty, and humility, no matter how amazing you become.

Mistake # 9 Negative self-talk

Photo by fotografierende from Pexels
Photo by fotografierende from Pexels

It’s almost impossible to get where you want to be if you have constant negative voices in your head. You’ve got to learn to inspire and motivate yourself throughout your journey. Once you hear the negativity pop up, put an end to it with positive, encouraging thoughts.

Mistake # 10 Procrastinating or being a perfectionist

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels

There’s no perfect time to head towards your goals. You just have to start despite the chaos. Also, don’t expect it to work out perfectly because it won’t. Accept that and know that it’s okay. You just have to start, no matter what.

Develop some self-discipline. Bleh! That doesn’t sound fun! Well, it’s not, but it is quite thrilling once you get the hang of making yourself do what you want! You’ll be more confident, productive, and motivated once you take back control and force yourself to do the work.

Mistake # 11 Not understanding the value of criticisms

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

No one is flawless, so don’t expect that from yourself. So, there’s no reason to get upset when someone points out something you could work on. Instead, take advantage of this priceless advice! Use it to improve. Getting angry about criticism only holds you back and makes you look immature and insecure. So be cool, fix the problem, and move on.

Mistake # 12 Not having a successful role model

Not having a successful role model.
Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels

“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Many people lack the life experience to be successful. But you can find a role model who can teach you the tricks of the trade. You’ll improve faster if you have someone to show you the ropes. Learn from their mistakes. Otherwise, it’ll take much longer if you have to figure it all out on your own.

Mistake # 13 Quitting when things get difficult

woman in red long sleeve shirt sitting on chair while leaning on laptop
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

– Confucius

Good things don’t come easy. So, you might as well learn to embrace the challenge, instead of avoiding it. Yes, it will be difficult. That’s how you know it’ll improve your life. Keep going and don’t stop till you succeed. You can seriously do anything if you try hard enough.

Mistake # 14 Not working for the success

bored woman looking at a laptop
Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” – Wayne Dyer

You’ve got to build up your willpower to do what you don’t want to do. Everyone’s favorite excuse is, “I just don’t have the time.” This really means you don’t want to really try. So envisioning your ideal life is so important! Why would you want to do all this work if you can’t see the glorious outcome?

You’ve got to force yourself to do what you need to do. It’s a vital lesson for being a successful adult. Otherwise, nothing will ever get done. So, push yourself into motion and get started! No excuses.

Don’t settle for a mediocre life when you deserve the best! Encourage yourself to take action today by subscribing below!



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